When to Plant Catnip in Woodbury County, IA
Your May game plan for Woodbury County, Iowa
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Harden off and plant catnip
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
Catnip is a hardy perennial herb in the mint family known for its effect on cats. It also makes a calming tea and is a useful companion plant that repels some pests.
Woodbury County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.
At an elevation of 1,388 feet, Woodbury County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Catnip to ensure they mature before fall.
Woodbury County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Woodbury County
How your county's soil matches Catnip's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.8) overlaps with Catnip's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Woodbury County is excellent for Catnip — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Catnip.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Catnip will thrive.
How to Plant Catnip
Succession Planting Catnip
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Catnip
Catnip needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Catnip Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Woodbury County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Catnip Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Catnip Planting Timeline — Woodbury County, IA
Catnip Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Harvest | July 5 | Jul 5 – Sep 6 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
163 days in Woodbury County
Growing Tips for Catnip in Woodbury County
Direct sow Catnip outdoors after April 26 in Woodbury County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Direct sow or start indoors. Catnip is very easy to grow and can become invasive. Harvest leaves before flowering for tea. Protect young plants from cats.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Catnip in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Catnip in Woodbury County, IA?
Woodbury County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Woodbury County, IA?
Woodbury County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your Woodbury County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Woodbury County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.